210 MAKE WIGWAMS — OAKDENS. Jan, 



fied, and to add to his confusion and disappointment, as well 

 as my own, he was unable to talk to his brothers, except by 

 broken sentences, in which English predominated. After a 

 few minutes had elapsed, his elder brother began to talk to 

 him ; but although Jemmy understood what was said, he could 

 not reply. York and Fuegia were able to understand some 

 words, but could not or did not choose to speak. 



This first evening of our stay at Woollya was rather an 

 anxious one ; for although the natives seemed inclined to be 

 quite friendly, and they all left us at sunset, according to their 

 invariable practice, it was hard to say what mischief might 

 not be planned by so numerous a party, fancying, as they 

 probably would, that we were inferior to them in strength, 

 because so few in number. Jemmy passed the evening with 

 his mother and brothers, in their wigwam, but returned to us 

 to sleep. York, also, and Fuegia were going about among the 

 natives at their wigwams, and the good effect of their inter- 

 course and explanations, such as they were, was visible next 

 day (24th) in the confident, familiar manner of the throng 

 which surrounded us while we began to dig ground for gar- 

 dens, as well as cut wood for large wigwams, in which Mat- 

 thews and his party were to be established. Canoes still 

 arrived, but their owners seemed as well-disposed as the rest 

 of the natives, many of whom assisted us in carrying wood, 

 and bringing bundles of grass or rushes to thatch the wig- 

 wams which they saw we were making, in a pleasant shel- 

 tered spot, near a brook of excellent water. One wigwam was 

 for Matthews, another for Jemmy, and a third for York and 

 Fuegia. York told me that Jemmy's brother was "very 

 much friend," that the country was " very good land," and 

 that he wished to stay with Jemmy and Matthews. 



A small plot of ground was selected near the wigwams, and, 

 during our stay, dug, planted and sowed with potatoes, carrots, 

 turnips, beans, peas, lettuce, onions, leeks, and cabbages. 

 Jemmy soon clothed his mother and brothers, by the assis- 

 tance of his friends. For a garment which I sent the old woman 

 she returned me a large quantity of fish, all she had to offei- ; 



